George Stroumboulopoulos Confirms 'Dear Friend' Killed At His L.A. Home

LOS ANGELES - Actor Richard Hong has been identified as the man found dead early Friday at the Los Angeles home rented by television personality George Stroumboulopoulos.

Police said Hong was a 41-year-old Canadian who lived in Los Angeles. They said he died of blunt force trauma.

Stroumboulopoulos, the former "Hockey Night in Canada" host, said in a prepared statement that he's "heartbroken" after a "dear friend" was found dead.

Stroumboulopoulos indicated he was in New York City when he learned of it.

George Stroumboulopoulos attends the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival. (Photo: Isaiah Trickey/FilmMagic)

Officer Aareon Jefferson of the LAPD says witnesses directed officers who responded to the call to the body of an "apparent homicide" victim and told them that a man in a black jacket was seen fleeing the area.

A search of the neighbourhood — supported by a police helicopter and a canine unit — was unable to locate the suspect.

Stroumboulopoulos said the killing appeared to be the result of a break-in.

"I am writing this from a plane en route to Los Angeles from New York, so I can be with my friends there, who are also devastated,'' he said in his statement.

"There's so much to say but I'm at a loss for words so just love your people and I will have more to say when we know more about what happened."

Global Affairs Canada said Canadian officials have reached out to Los Angeles police for additional information "about a deceased individual reported to be a Canadian citizen."

An online filmography says Hong appeared in a number of movies including "Tied Up,""Golf Cart Driving School" and "Perception."

Stroumboulopoulos became the host of "Hockey Night in Canada" in 2014, but left earlier this year to "to explore new creative opportunities." He won numerous Gemini awards as a CBC host and had a short-lived talk show on CNN before moving to "Hockey Night in Canada."